As children use the internet more and more, they see and learn new things every day. While this digital world can be a good source of education, fun, and friends, it can also show our children things they shouldn’t see, or lead to problems like cyberbullying and spending too much time on screens. For parents trying to keep their kids safe while also letting them grow and learn, this can be tricky. That’s where parental control apps come in. These apps help parents keep an eye on what their children are doing online and keep them safe, without taking away their freedom or stopping them from learning how to use the internet responsibly. With so many apps out there, it can be hard to figure out which ones are best for your family. We’re here to help make that easier for you.
Reviewing Best Parental Control Apps
Parental control apps come with an array of features designed to shield children from the darker corners of the internet and promote healthy online habits. These tools typically offer capabilities such as real-time content filtering, screen time management, and social media protection. They also provide an overview of your child’s online activities, giving you peace of mind about their digital interactions. But not all apps are created equal. It’s crucial to understand the specific features and benefits of each app to find the one that suits your family’s needs best. The ultimate aim is to equip parents with the knowledge to guide their children through the digital landscape effectively and safely.
The Go-To Parental Control Apps
With numerous parental control applications on the internet, it can be challenging to discern which ones truly meet the grade. Thankfully, Educators Technology has done the legwork for you, researching, testing, and compiling a list of the top seven parental control apps. The first on this esteemed list is Scannero, a cutting-edge phone tracking service.
Scannero
Scannero is an innovative app designed to provide accurate and quick location tracking. It enables you to locate a phone number with remarkable ease. The three-step process begins with account creation, followed by a location request and then swiftly receiving the phone’s location. The platform prides itself on its rapid results, usually delivered within two minutes. Scannero can function perfectly on any device, be it Android or iPhone, without requiring app installation.
mSpy
mSpy is a comprehensive monitoring app that provides an unparalleled level of insight into phone activity. From social media tracking to text and email access, location tracking to keystroke logging, mSpy offers a range of features that facilitate easy monitoring. It also enables you to manage the websites and apps accessible on the target device, ensuring safe online activity. Designed for user-friendliness and compatibility, mSpy works seamlessly on various devices, including Android and iPhone.
Eyezy
Eyezy is a robust digital monitoring app that keeps you informed about your loved ones’ activities and locations. With features like real-time location tracking, message monitoring, photo review, and bullying detection, Eyezy delivers peace of mind in the digital age. Its smart AI can recognize problem chats, alerting you if any preset keywords appear in the conversations. Eyezy supports cross-platform accessibility, allowing you to monitor iPhone activity from any device, including Android, Mac, andWindows platforms.
Net Nanny
Net Nanny is a top-rated parental control software designed to create a safe online space for your family in this digital age. The app lets you manage your child’s online safety by setting up screen time limits and monitoring app usage. Net Nanny also allows parents to block specific websites or apps that they find inappropriate. The app’s location tracking feature provides real-time location details of your child’s primary device. Net Nanny’s Parent Dashboard offers centralized account management and can be accessed from any device with internet access. Moreover, Net Nanny has an internet filter, which ranks #1, to control your family’s online activity and block pornography in real time. You can also review detailed reports and receive alerts about your child’s online activity with the “Alerts and Reporting” feature.
Google Family Link
Google Family Link is a user-friendly parental control app that helps parents manage their child’s digital activities. It includes tools for managing screen time, tracking location, and controlling privacy settings. Google Family Link enables parents to set screen time limits, manage app usage, and even manage their child’s account data and settings. It also provides location services, allowing parents to locate their children and receive alerts when they arrive or leave certain locations.
Qustodio
Qustodio is a powerful parental control app that allows parents to monitor and manage their children’s digital activities. It offers features like content and app filtering, activity monitoring, time limits, location tracking, and alerts. Qustodio allows parents to block inappropriate content, track their children’s location, and monitor their online activity in real-time.
Conclusion
The digital age presents numerous challenges for parents striving to keep their children safe online. Thankfully, parental control apps provide tools for monitoring, protecting, and guiding children through the digital landscape. Among the top seven, Scannero excels at swift and accurate location tracking, but lacks content filtering or screen time management capabilities. mSpy offers comprehensive monitoring features, including social media tracking and keystroke logging, although its extensive coverage could be seen as invasive. Eyezy is notable for its robust monitoring features and real-time alerts for suspicious activity.
Net Nanny is praised for its wide range of protection features and the ability to block inappropriate websites or apps. However, it may not be cost-effective for families with multiple devices. Google Family Link, while free to use with a Google account, varies in functionality depending on the child’s device. Lastly, Qustodio provides comprehensive monitoring tools, but its full functionality requires a paid subscription and its extensive monitoring may infringe on a child’s privacy. Therefore, it is crucial for parents to choose the app that best aligns with their family’s needs.
Choosing the Best Parental Control Apps
A Buyer’s Guide When selecting the best parental control app, parents should weigh factors such as requirements, ease of use, key features, integration with other devices or apps, price, customer support, and security. The goal is to find an app that not only keeps children safe online but also fits well with the family’s unique needs and budget.
Requirements
Before purchasing a parental control app, assess what needs you want the app to fulfill. Are you more concerned about location tracking, content filtering, or limiting screen time? The ideal app will meet most, if not all, of your specific requirements.
Accessibility & Ease of Use
An effective parental control app should have an intuitive interface that both you and your child can navigate with ease. It should also be compatible with your devices, and not require a significant learning curve or tech-savviness.
Features
Consider the features each app provides. Some might offer comprehensive monitoring and location tracking while others excel at content filtering and screen time management. Ideally, the chosen app should have a well-rounded feature set that aligns with your requirements.
Integration
Look for an app that integrates well with your child’s device and other apps they frequently use. It should operate smoothly and not interfere with the normal functioning of the device or other apps.
Prices
The cost of the app is a critical factor. While some apps offer a free version, others require a subscription for full feature access. Opt for an app that provides value for money and fits within your budget.
Support
Effective customer support is crucial. The app provider should offer prompt and helpful assistance in case of any difficulties or issues. Check out user reviews to gauge the quality of their customer service.
Security
Finally, consider the security of the app itself. The information it collects should be encrypted and stored securely. The app shouldn’t infringe on your child’s privacy more than necessary for their protection. Always check the company’s privacy policy before purchasing.
FAQ
Follow us on Reddit for more insights and updates.
Comments (0)
Welcome to A*Help comments!
We’re all about debate and discussion at A*Help.
We value the diverse opinions of users, so you may find points of view that you don’t agree with. And that’s cool. However, there are certain things we’re not OK with: attempts to manipulate our data in any way, for example, or the posting of discriminative, offensive, hateful, or disparaging material.